5 Ways to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Houston Kids
By now, I visited enough museums to be educated on the fact that Cinco de Mayo is not a celebration of Mexican Independence, but rather marks the date of the Battle of Puebla when the Mexican army unexpectedly defeated the French in 1862.
But let’s be honest, Americans mostly use it as an excuse to visit our favorite Tex-Mex restaurant for queso and margaritas. However, if you want to branch out a bit and mark the date in a more cultural way this year, we’ve got you covered with these five family-friendly Cinco de Mayo happenings in Houston.
1. LULAC District VIII Cinco de Mayo Parade
What: The League of United Latin American Citizens’ mission is to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of the Hispanic population of our country. District 8 of the LULAC works with the Greater Houston Area and hosts an annual Cinco de Mayo Parade downtown. Come watch elected officials, schools, community members, and businesses walk the Houston streets to Latin beats. This year’s grand marshals include Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.
When: May 4, 10am-noon
Location: The parade route starts on Texas at Hamilton, proceeds west on Texas, north on Crawford, west on Congress, north on Austin, east on Franklin, south on Hamilton and concludes on Hamilton at Congress.
Cost: Free
2. Cinco De Mayo Celebration at Kemah Boardwalk
What: The Kemah Boardwalk hosts a two-day annual fiesta in honor of the May holiday. Festivities include live music with various Latin, Tejano, and Mariachi bands as well as a children’s corner with activities. Don’t miss Sunday’s jalapeno eating contest!
When: May 4 and 5; activities start at noon each day, but check their schedule for exact happenings.
Cost: Hanging out at Kemah Boardwalk is free as is observing any of the festivities, but food and drink are on you.
Fotolia/arinahabich3. Cinco de Mayo with Kinder HSPVA at Discovery Green
1500 McKinney Street
Houston, TX
What: Watch the mariachis, ballet folklorico, and other students from the Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) show off their skills at Discovery Green. Also scheduled: A Latin dance party hosted by Bombón’s La Comadre (Mel Gomez) with DJ Gracie Chavez as the emcee. Plus, while you’re there you can check out the new Sonic Playground.
When: May 5, 3-5pm
Cost: Free
4. Cinco de Mayo at Children’s Museum Houston
What: The Children’s Museum of Houston always does a fantastic job of celebrating different cultures and Cinco de Mayo is no exception. For 2019, they are once again bringing in Las Americas Ballet Folklórico for a spotlight performance. The dancers will perform traditional Mexican dances complete with vibrant costumes and choreography. Post-show, stop in the Kids’ Hall Alcove to teach your little ones more about Mexican traditions.
When: May 5 at 3pm
Cost: The performance is included in your admission to the Children’s Museum of Houston. Children under the age of one are free, but everyone else is $12 a person. They do offer military and senior discounts.
5. Cinco de Mayo at Miller Outdoor Theater
6000 Hermann Park Drive
Houston, TX
What: Concerts at this Hermann Park venue are a favorite for Houston families! Grab free tickets to see Grammy Award-winning artist Lupillo Rivera perform in honor of the holiday. (Rivera is a chart-topping Mexican singer as well as a producer and songwriter.) If your child gets antsy during the show, it’s not a big deal. They can run around or roll down the huge grassy hill.
Date: May 5 at 8pm
Cost: Free, but you will need a printed ticket if you want to sit in the covered seats. You can get your free tickets, while they last, from the Miller Outdoor Theater Box Office on the day of the performance between 10:30am and 1pm. Limit is four per person over the age of 16. If tickets remain at 1pm, the box office will re-open one hour before show time to distribute the remaining tickets. As always, there is free open seating on the hill.
Amanda Sorena 
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